My seventh trip flying the long haul. Australia to the USA. The last few times I’ve found the best trip was straight from Melbourne to Dallas and then to transfer there to the domestic flights. My trip was on Qantas booked through American Airlines. I had Premium Economy with extra legroom. The other two passengers in my aisle were long legged guys. The young man on the end had size 16 shoes. I had a window seat, so I think I stepped on his feet at least three times. Being a polite Aussie he said, “No worries,” to my apologies.

The tattooed Aussie next to me was headed home to his partner in New York City. I worried he could have trouble with customs, but I don’t know, I never saw him after we landed in Dallas. I gave him my business card and asked him to comment on my blog, but I haven’t heard anything.

I slept maybe five hours during the quiet 16 hour flight. The was sun shinning through marvelous clouds as we approached the Dallas airport.

There was an announcement that our landing would be delayed for 30 minutes. I worried would I make my connecting flight?

But the sun was out and we were cleared for landing shortly. I passed through the USA citizens customs line in record time. Picked up my luggage and handed it back in to go to my connecting flight. I had to go through security again, and then went searching for my flight. I couldn’t find it on the screen, nor could the information person. She said, “Go to the D24 help desk.”

I walked there, but the line was a block long. By the time I’d get to help, I’d have missed my flight.

I asked someone at an American Airlines desk. They said gate “D4”, which was in the same terminal, but the other end. I walked and walked and walked some more. When I got there the sign said, “Flight cancelled.” I asked the attendant in the gate next to the closed sign.

She said, “Your flight has been cancelled go to the D24 help desk.”

So once again I walked and walked and walked back there, dragging my carryon luggage. Now when I got to D24 the line was two blocks long. I got in line. People actually talked to each other in line and didn’t just stare at their phones. All their flights had been cancelled. Some were going to Minneapolis, some to Boston, and one to Washington DC. One lovely lady had come from Finland to visit her exchange family in Minnesota – she stood in line alone, but her daughter and husband were traveling with her.

I got a text my flight was rescheduled for tomorrow with a 10 hour layover over in Chicago. After already traveling for 16 hours that wouldn’t work. Plus there was no hotel allowance for a weather cancellation. I waited in line.I tired of standing and sat down on the floor part of the time.

When I finally got up to one of the 5 people helping this long line, it was around seven pm. The kind lady found me a flight leaving at 10:45 pm, which should get me home around 1:00 am. But better that spending a day in Chicago. She said, “Take the sky bus to A5,” pointing to the electric train that travels between terminals in the Dallas airport.

I leisurely made my way to the gate to wait. I wasn’t going to miss this flight. I’d been there about an hour when they said the flight’s gate had been changed to A34. The other end, I walked and walked there.

Around 10 pm another announcement told us we had to go to gate D25. So it was back on the sky bus. I stood next to two stewardesses who were also going to my flight. They said they’d show me the way. This gate didn’t have any chairs. I sunk down on the floor with my back against a pillar.

A cheery American Airlines person announced, “I know there have been a number of gate changes, but I assure you this is it.”

But she called us to board too soon, so instead of sitting leaning against a pillar I was standing in line in the stuffy tube to get on the plane. When we finally boarded my seat was in the very back, but I was glad, I had a seat.

I made it home, at 2:00 am. The longest flight ever probably due to our changing weather. So nice to lay down flat in a bed.

I’m afraid these stories don’t encourage people to come visit Australia. But it is worth it. It’s just this was a seventh trip, the eighth should be better.